Bangkok,Thailand, June 24, 2016 – Fifteen countries have already confirmed their participation in the SMM 18th EST Cola Asian Women’s U19 Volleyball Championship, which will be held in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand between July 23 and 31, 2016.
The participating teams in this tournament comprise Australia, China, Hong Kong, Iran, Japan, Kazakstan, Korea, New Zealand, Philippines, Vietnam,Chinese Taipei, Sri Lanka, Macao, India and hosts Thailand.
Mr Somporn Chaibangyang, president of Thailand Volleyball Association, presided over the press conference at Alexander Hotel in Bangkok on Friday, with Mr Chana Pankaew, Thai Beverage Marketing manager, Nakhon Ratchasima Vice Governor Narong Wunsiew, Mr Preecha Limhua, general manager of The Mall Korat, Mr Prat Chaikham, deputy managing director of Siam Inter Multimedia, and Mr Watchara Watcharaphon, CEO of Thairat TV, in attendance. Also taking part in the meeting were the Thailand women’s U19 players and a large number of journalists.
Mr Somporn said in the meeting, “This tournament has been regarded as one of the important competitions in the AVC programs which the young players can show their potentials and gain valuable experience in order that they can replace senior players in the near future. Actually, It is not only for the Thai players, but also the whole Asian teams.I wish everyone good luck and the best result in the competition.”
The nine-day competition has been divided into four pools. Sri Lanka, Vietnam and hosts Thailand are in Pool A, while Hong kong, New Zealand, Kazakhstan and title-holders China are in Pool B. Pool C features Macao, Iran, Japan and India, with Korea, Chinese Taipei, Australia and the Philippines in Pool D.
The tournament will be contested simultaneously at The Mall Korat’s MCC Hall and Nakhon RatchasimaRajabhat University.
“On behalf of The Mall Korat, we are so glad to work closely with the Thailand Volleyball Association and Nakhon Ratchasima province to have hosted so many international volleyball tournaments here, and we have received compliments from participating teams worldwide for hosting them successfully. Our venue meets standard with a seating capacity of 4,000. Moreover, the participants will also have a chance to relax themselves and enjoy shopping here at The Mall,” said Preecha.
New Zealand and reigning champions China will set up the curtain-raisers on July 23 at The Mall Korat’s MCC Hall and Macao will face India at Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University Gymnasium, starting from 12pmonwards.
The pool round-robin preliminary competition continues until July 25, while June 26 will be the rest day. The event will resume on July 27 until July 31.
The top two teams in this tournament will qualify for the FIVB Volleyball Women’s U20 World Championship next year, but the host nation has yet confirmed.
MATCH SCHEDULE
POOL ROUND-ROBIN PRELIMINARIES
JULY 23
New Zealand vs China
Macao vs India
Hong kong vs Kazakhstan
Iran vs Japan
Vietnam vs Thailand
Chinese Taipei vs Australia
Korea vs Philippines
JULY 24
Hong Kong vs New Zealand
India vs Japan
Kazakstan vs China
Macao vs Iran
Korea vs Chinese Taipei
Sri langka vs Vietnam
Philipines vs Australia
JULY 25
China vs Hong Kong
Iran vs India
New Zealand vs Kazakstan
Japan vs Macao
Thailand vs Sri Lanka
Chinese Taipei vs Philipines
Australia vs Korea
